Self-soldering fuse-post.



1 No- 767,"437.- PATENTED AUG. 16, 1904, C. R. PITRAT. SELF SOLDBRING FUSE POST.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 25, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

luventoz Witness UNITED STATES PATENT Patented August 16, 190%.

FFICE.

CLAUDE R. PITRAT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO FRANK B. COOK,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SELF-SOLDERING FUSE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 767,437, dated August 16, 1904. Application filed. February 26, 1908. Serial No. 145,078. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDE R. PITRAT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State-of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Soldering Fuse-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention aims to devise a novel form of cut-out for protecting telephone and telegraph apparatus from injury when the line becomes charged with electric fluid of high potential, such as resulting from lightning or the crossing of the line with electric-light or other highly-charged wire.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also-to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

WVhile the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cut-out embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side View illustrating the position of the linesprings. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a view of the cut-out as seen from the bottom side.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The body of the cut-out or protector is indicated at 1 and is preferably of graphite of such relative size as to offer the proper predetermined resistance to the passage of the electric fluid. Within the purview of the invention the body 1 may be a caloric coil, such as commonly provided in devices of this character for the purpose aforesaid. Metal ends are provided at the extremities of the body 1 for proper cooperation with the line-springs 2 in the well-known manner. The metal end 3 is formed with an annular groove to receive the fork members of a l1ne-spr1'ng, and the metal end 4 is blfurcated to receive the rotary detent 5, the same being preferably a star or pointed wheel. Thepoints or teeth of the rotary detent 5 are adapted to engage with the opposite line-spring and to cooperate with the flat spring 6, secured to the body of the cut-out or protector, so as to prevent turning of the detent for a greater distance than the space of one tooth or point. IVashers 7 are applied to the sides of the bifurcated or forked terminal and the metal end i to prevent direct contact of the line-spring therewith. The spring 6 is secured to the body of the cut-out by means of a screw-eye 8, which also provides a finger-piece for manipulatingthe device when placing it in position or removing it from the line-spring.

The rotary detent 5 is of metal, brass being preferred, and is mounted upon a pin 9, secured at its ends in the bifurcations of the metal end 4. Fusible material cements the rotary detent to the metal end 4, so as to prevent turning thereof under normal conditions, and preferably consists of solder, although within the scope of the invention other material adapted to be softened by heat may be employed.

The cut-out or protector is adapted to be used in the accustomed way and when in position is interposed between the line-springs 2, which exert an outward pressure upon opposite ends of the cut-out or protector. Under normal conditions the rotary detent 5 is prevented from turning; but upon the passage of a current of abnormal strength the body 1 of the cut-out becomes heated and softens or fuses the solder or other cementingsubstance and permits the detent 5 to turn the space of one tooth, whereby the line-springs are released and the circuit interrupted and'grounded. As soon as the circuit is broken the cutout or protector cools and the solder or like cementing substance becomes set and .again secures the detent, thereby admitting of the cut-out or protector being used again by engagement of the line-spring previously released with a tooth thereof. It will thus be understood that the protector or cut-out can be repeatedly used and is not destroyed and, furthermore, is in working condition and does not require any manipulation to adjust the parts, a tooth of the rotary detent always being in position for engagement with the line-spring when restoring the circuit after the same has been broken by the passage of an abnormal charge through the cut-out.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a cut-out or protector for telephone and telegraph lines, a resistance-body for inclusion in the electric circuit, a rotary detent electrically connected with the said resistance-body and acted upon by a force tend ing to break the circuit, said detent being provided with teeth or points, means for exerting a force on a tooth or point of the detent to turn same and break the circuit, a spring cooperating with another of said teeth to properly position the detent and prevent overthrow thereof, and a cementing material for holding the detent against rotation under normal circuit conditions and adapted to be fused or softened under abnormal circuit conditions to permit said detent to turn and the circuit to be broken by the force acting on said detent, substantially as set forth.

2. A cut-out or protector for telephone and telegraph lines, the same comprising a resistance-body, ends applied to the terminals of said body for cooperation with the linesprings, one of said ends being bifurcated or forked, a rotary detent journaled between the bifurcations or fork members of the end having the crotch and provided with points or teeth, a cementing substance between said rotary detent and the subjacent portions of its supporting end and adapted to be fused or softened under abnormal conditions to effect a break in the circuit, and a spring 6 for cooperation with said rotary detent, substantially as set forth.

3. A cut-out or protector for telephone and telegraph lines, the same comprising a graphite body of proper resistance, metal ends applied to the terminal portions of said body, a rotary detent fitted to one of said ends, and comprising a series of points or teeth, a cementing substance for securing said rotary detent against movement under normal conditions and adapted to be fused 0r softened upon the passage of a current of abnormal strength through said body, and a spring secured to the body and adapted to cooperate with the teeth of the rotary detent, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLAUDE R. PITRAT. 

